Refrigerator and/or freezer

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer, in particular a chest refrigerator or freezer ( 10 ), having a body and a lid which can be moved relative to the body ( 20 ), or a door or flap which can be moved relative to the body and has a pane, preferably a glass ( 20 ) or plastic pane, or is formed by this pane, and also having a heating device by means of which the pane can be heated, wherein means ( 30, 32, 40, 42 ) for transmitting the power required for operating the heating device are provided, said means operating in accordance with the principle of inductive power transmission.

The present invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit, in particular to a chest refrigerator and/or chest freezer, having a carcass and a cover movable relative to the carcass or with a door or flap, which is movable relative to the carcass and which has a pane, preferably a glass pane or a plastic pane, or is formed thereby, as well as with a heating device by means of which the pane can be heated.

Such units are known, for example, as commercial chests, for example as ice cream chests. As a rule, they have a carcass for the reception of the refrigerated goods or frozen goods which can, for example, be closed by a movable cover. The cover usually has a transparent pane to be able to observe the content of the chest even when the cover is closed.

It is disadvantageous with such apparatus that it is in particular possible at higher humidity that moisture can condense on the comparatively cold cover of the chest or on its pane. Such a condensation is not wanted.

It was therefore already suggested in DE 20 2005 007 188 to heat the cover or its pane. In this reference, the heating is achieved in that the heating device of the cover is supplied with current via contact elements, for example spring contact pins and contact plates. It is furthermore known from this reference to provide a switch which is only closed in the closed state of the cover and in this position closes the circuit for the current feed to the heating device.

A disadvantage in the arrangement known from DE 20 2005 007 188 is that wear of the contact elements can occur, whereby a customer service operation may accordingly become necessary.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to further develop a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit of the initially named kind such that the heating device is made in a maintenance-free manner or at least in a low-maintenance manner.

This object is solved by a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having the features of claim 1. Provision is accordingly made that means for the transmission of the power required for the operation of the heating device are provided which work in accordance with the principle of inductive power transmission. In accordance with the invention, the technology of inductive power transmission is used to transfer the power required for the operation of the heating device from the carcass to the heating device. The connection is accordingly established electromagnetically and the power transmission thus preferably takes place in a contact-free manner and without additional contacting, whereby no wear problems can result. The use of spring contact pins and contact plates or of other contact elements is not necessary.

A further simplification results in that a switch can admittedly generally be provided, but is likewise not necessary.

The means for the transmission of the power can be arranged such that the power transmission only takes place in one or more specific positions of the cover or of the flap or door, preferably with a completely or largely closed cover of with a completely or largely closed door or flap.

It is likewise conceivable to arrange the means for the transmission of the power such that the power transmission takes place at least regionally independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap. Provision is thus made in this case that the power transmission takes place at least in a specific region, for example in a partial region of the movement path or in the total movement path of a movably arranged cover of a freezer chest or over a partial angle region or over the total opening angle of a door. In this case, the heating thus not only takes place at a specific position of the cover or of the door or flap, but independently of this.

The means for the transmission of the power can be arranged, for example, such that the transmission only takes place with a completely or largely closed cover or with a completely or largely closed door or flap.

Provision can be made that a first coil is arranged in the carcass of the unit through which current flows and which is connected to a current source. It is, for example, conceivable to arrange the coil in the frame of the unit and to connect it to 230 volt AC voltage by means of a supply line.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that a second coil is arranged at the cover or at the door or flap of the unit and that a voltage is only induced in said second coil in one specific position or in a plurality of specific positions of the cover or of the flap or door, preferably with a completely or largely closed cover or with a completely or largely closed door or flap, with the second coil being in communication with the heating device such that a current flow takes place through the heating device and the heat operation takes place with an induced voltage in the second coil.

Alternatively to this, it is conceivable that a second coil is arranged at the cover or at the door or flap of the unit and that a voltage is induced in it at least regionally independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap, with the second coil being connected to the heating device such that a current flow is generated through the heating device by the second coil. The heating can thus take place independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that a cut-out, preferably a groove, which is at least partly surrounded by the first coil, is provided in the carcass of the unit.

Provision can also be made that a cut-out, preferably a groove, which is at least partly surrounded by the second coil, is provided at the cover or at the door or flap of the unit.

Provision can be made that the unit has a movably arranged cover and that the groove of the carcass extends in the direction in which the cover is movable. It is equally conceivable that the unit has a movably arranged cover and that the groove of the carcass extends in a direction which extends at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the direction in which the cover is movable. It is thus, for example, conceivable to arrange the groove in the region of one or both longitudinal sides or end faces of the unit.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the unit has a movably arranged cover and that the groove of the cover extends in the direction in which the cover is movable.

It is also possible that the groove of the cover extends in a direction which is at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the direction in which the cover is movable.

It is particularly preferred if a component (core) is provided at the cover or at the door or flap or if a component is provided at the carcass of the unit which is made of metal or comprises metal and which is arranged such that it is at least sectionally surrounded by the first and second coils with a closed cover or with a closed door or flap.

The component made of metal or comprising metal can be connected to the cover or to the door or flap and can always be surrounded at least regionally by the second coil independently of the closed condition. It can, for example, be arranged such that it is introduced into the cut-out surrounded by the first coil on the closing of the cover, door or flap. As soon as this is the case, a voltage is induced in the second coil which is used to effect a current flow through the heating device and to heat the cover, the door or flap, or their panes, in this manner. It is also possible that the component is located in the cut-out surrounded by the first coil independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap.

It is also conceivable that the named component is connected to the carcass and is always at least regionally surrounded by the first coil and is arranged such that it is introduced into the cut-out surrounded by the second coil on the closing of the cover, door or flap. In this second case, a voltage is also induced which serves the operation of the heating device. It is also possible that the component is located in the cut-out surrounded by the second coil independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap.

The heating device can be formed by a heating film located on the pane, for example by a nano-coating.

Provision is finally made in a further embodiment of the invention that the first and/or second coil is firmly cast, which brings about the advantage that no dirty joints can arise in the region of the contacting since additional contact covers are no longer required. It is, for example, conceivable that the first coil is cast in a frame of the carcass made of plastic and that the second coil is cast in a plastic border which surrounds the pane of the cover or of the door or flap.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. There are shown:

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3: different views of a freezer chest with a first coil arranged at the end face;

FIG. 4: different views of a freezer chest in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 5: different views of a freezer chest with a coil arranged at the end face and extending over the total depth;

FIG. 6: different views of the freezer chest in accordance with FIG. 5,

FIG. 7: different views of a refrigerator and/or freezer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8: different views of the refrigerator and/or freezer in accordance with FIG. 7;

FIG. 9: different views of a freezer chest with a first coil extending over the total movement region of the cover; and

FIG. 10: different views of the freezer chest in accordance with FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 shows with the reference numeral 10 a freezer chest in a perspective representation. A moving cover is marked by the reference numeral 20 which is made up of a glass plate which is framed and which is movably received in a guide which is located in the upper region of the carcass of the chest 10. The moving cover 20 is thus made movable in the transverse direction of the chest 10. The chest 10 has a cut-out 40 on the narrow side of the cut-out in which the moving cover 20 is received, said cut-out being surrounded by a first coil 42 which is loaded with 230 V AC current via a supply line, not shown, for example. Any other kind of voltage supply is naturally also conceivable. A metal core 30 which is likewise surrounded by a coil, as can be seen from FIG. 3, is located at the edge of the moving glass cover 20 extending perpendicular to the movement direction. In this Figure, the coil is marked by the reference numeral 32. The metal core 30 is regionally surrounded by the coil 32, as can be seen from FIG. 3.

The second coil 32 is in electrically conductive communication with a heating device which is not shown in any more detail and which is located, for example, at the upper side of the glass plate of the moving cover 20. The heating device can, for example, be a nano-coating.

If, starting from the position shown in FIG. 1, the cover is moved to the left, i.e. toward the cut-out 40, the free end of the metal core 30 not surrounded by the second coil 32 enters into the cut-out 40 which is surrounded by the first coil 42 at least in this region. As soon as this is the case (see FIG. 3), a voltage is induced by induction in the second coil 32 which is utilized to effect a current flow through the heating device, whereby the glass plate of the moving cover 20 is heated.

The electrical connection between the second coil 32 and the heating device is preferably established by wires which are not shown in any more detail.

FIG. 4 shows the freezer chest 10 in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 3 in different views and in different positions of the moving glass cover 20. In the left hand representations in accordance with FIG. 4, the moving cover 20 is moved into its left hand end position in which the metal core 30 is received in the cut-out 40 and a heating of the glass plate is possible due to the inductive power transmission. This is not the case in the position in accordance with FIG. 4, middle representations, i.e. the glass cover 20 has been moved so far to the right that the metal core 30 is not received in the cut-out 40. In this case, no heating of the glass cover takes place.

FIG. 4, right hand representations, again illustrates the arrangement of the metal core 30 relative to the moving glass cover 20. As can be seen from FIG. 4, right hand representations, the metal core 30 is located in the plan view in a marginal region of the narrow side of the moving glass cover 20 which extends perpendicular to the movement direction.

The representations of the second row in accordance with FIG. 4 show sections corresponding to lines B-B, F-F and D-D and the representations of the last row in accordance with FIG. 4 show detailed representations in accordance with the details C, G and E.

FIG. 5 shows a freezer chest 50 in a further embodiment. Here, a cut-out 80 (see FIG. 6) is located at the carcass and extends, in contrast to the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 1 to 4, over the total depth or over a substantial part of the depth of the freezer chest 50. The cut-out 80 is surrounded by the coil 82, as can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6. The metal core 70, which is regionally surrounded by a coil 72, is located in the edge of the moving glass cover 60 extending perpendicular to the moving direction. If the moving glass cover 60 is moved from the position in accordance with FIG. 5, top left representation, into the position in accordance with FIG. 5, bottom line representation, the metal core 70 enters into the cut-out 80 and an inductive power transmission takes place by means of the coils 82, 72 and thus a heating of the moving glass cover 60 takes place. FIG. 5, top right representation, shows the detail D and FIG. 5, bottom right representation, shows a detailed view of coils 72, 82 and of metal core 70 as well as of cut-out 80.

An advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 over the embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 1 to 4 lies in the fact that the region in which the inductive power transmission takes place is made in enlarged form so that a larger heating performance is available.

FIG. 6 again shows the freezer chest 50 in accordance with FIG. 5 in different views and in different positions of the moving glass cover 60. FIG. 6, left hand representations, shows the situation in which the moving glass cover 60 is located in its right hand end position, i.e. in the closed position, in which the metal core 70 is received in the cut-out 80 and in which the coil 72 of the moving glass cover 60 is located in the region surrounded by the coil 82 of the carcass of the unit.

FIG. 6, middle column, shows a state in which the moving glass cover 60 is set back with respect to this i.e. is partly open. No heating of the moving glass cover 60 takes place in this state.

FIG. 6, right hand representations, shows the position of the moving glass cover in accordance with FIG. 6, left hand representations, in different views and illustrates that the coil 82 extends over a substantial region of the depth of the freezer chest extending perpendicular to the movement direction and that the coil 72 extends over a substantial part of the depth of the moving glass cover 60.

FIG. 6 shows, in the second row, representations in accordance with the lines H-H1, K-K and M-M in the bottommost row details J, L and N.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in accordance with which the refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit is a refrigerator and/or freezer 90. The metal pin 110 is located at its front side and is surrounded by a first coil 112 which is received in the carcass of the unit 90. A cut-out 120 is located in the door and is in turn surrounded by a second coil 122. If the door 100 is closed, the section of the metal pin 110 not surrounded by the coil 112 projects into the opening 120 and an inductive power transmission arises into the door 100 by means of which a glass pane of the door 100 can be heated.

FIG. 8 shows the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 7 in different representations and illustrates that the metal core 110 is surrounded in the closed state of the door 100 by the first coil 112 in a first section and by the second coil 122 in a second section. If the door is opened, the coil 122 is removed from the metal core 110 and the power transmission is ended. FIG. 8, middle column, shows sectional representations in accordance with the lines F-F and H-H and FIG. 8, right hand column, shows details G and J.

A further particularly advantageous embodiment of a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit in accordance with the present invention results from FIG. 9 in the form of the freezer chest 130. Said freezer chest has a step in its rear region in which a groove is located in which the first coil 162 is located. The first coil 162 surrounds a cut-out 160 in which a metal core 150 is movably received which is surrounded by a second coil 152. The metal core 150 and the coil 152 form the edge region of the moving glass cover 140 which is guided in the cut-out 160. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the coils are thus not located at the end face of the unit, but rather extend in the longitudinal direction of the unit, i.e. in the movement direction of the moving glass cover 140. This results in a particularly large transmission area and thus in a particularly efficient heating of the moving glass cover 140. A further advantage results from the fact that the moving glass cover 140 can be heated in this embodiment of the invention independently of its position, i.e. for instance not only in its closed position.

As stated, the step-shaped shoulder 131 in which the coil 162 is received is located in the rear region of the freezer chest 130. This feature is naturally optional and it is equally conceivable to make the freezer chest 130 without such a step-shaped shoulder.

FIG. 9, bottom left representation, shows the arrangement in a cross-sectional view and FIG. 9, bottom right representation, in the view in accordance with the section line B-B in accordance with FIG. 9, bottom left representation. FIG. 9, top right representation, shows the cut-out 160 with a first coil 162 as well as the metal core surrounded by the second coil 152, both running in the cut-out 160.

FIG. 10 shows the freezer chest 130 in accordance with FIG. 9 in different positions of the moving glass cover 140. FIG. 10, middle column, shows cross-sectional views and FIG. 10, right hand representations, shows views in accordance with the section lines D-D and E-E. It can be seen from these representations that the coil 152 of the movable moving glass cover 140 is surrounded by the coil 162 of the carcass of the unit 130 independently of the position of the moving glass cover 140 so that an inductive power transmissions takes place accordingly, which can be utilized for the heating of the moving glass cover, independently of the position of the moving glass cover 140. 

1. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit, in particular a refrigerator chest and/or a freezer chest, having a carcass and a cover movable relative to the carcass or a door or flap movable relative to the carcass which has a pane, preferably a glass pane or a plastic pane or which is formed by it, as well as having a heating device by means of which the pane is heatable, wherein means are provided for the transmission of the power required for the operation of the heating device which work in accordance with the principle of inductive power transmission.
 2. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for the transmission of the power are arranged such that the power transmission only takes place in one or more specific positions of the cover or of the flap or door, preferably with a completely or largely closed cover of with a completely or largely closed door or flap.
 3. A refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for the transmission of the power are arranged such that the power transmission takes place at least regionally independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap.
 4. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a first coil is arranged at the carcass of the unit through which current flows and which is connected to a current source.
 5. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a second coil is arranged at the cover or at the door or flap of the unit and that a voltage is only induced in said second coil in one specific position or in a plurality of specific positions of the cover or of the flap or door, preferably with a completely or largely closed cover or with a completely or largely closed door or flap, with the second coil being in communication with the heating device such that a current flow is generated through the heating device by the second coil.
 6. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a second coil is arranged at the cover or at the door or flap of the unit and that a voltage is induced in it at least regionally independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap, with the second coil being connected to the heating device such that a current flow is generated through the heating device by the second coil.
 7. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 4, wherein a cut-out, preferably a groove, is provided at the body of the unit which is surrounded at least partly by the first coil.
 8. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 7, wherein the unit has a movably arranged cover; and in that the groove of the carcass extends in the direction in which the cover is movable.
 9. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 7, wherein the unit has a movably arranged cover; and in that the groove of the carcass extends in a direction which extends at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the direction in which the cover is movable.
 10. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 5, wherein a cut-out, preferably a groove, which is surrounded at least partly by the second coil, is provided at the cover or at the door or flap of the unit.
 11. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 10, wherein the unit has a movably arranged cover; and the groove of the cover extends in the direction in which the cover is movable.
 12. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 10, wherein the unit has a movably arranged cover and that the groove of the cover extends in a direction which extends at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the direction in which the cover is movable.
 13. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 4, wherein a component is provided at the cover or at the door or flap or that a component is provided at the carcass of the unit which is made of metal or comprises metal and is arranged such that it is surrounded at least partly by the first and second coils with a closed cover or with a closed door or flap.
 14. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 13, wherein the component is connected to the cover or to the door or flap and is surrounded by the second coil and is arranged such that it is introduced into the cut-out, which is surrounded by the first coil, at least regionally independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap or in one specific position or in a plurality of positions of the cover or of the door or flap, preferably in their closed position.
 15. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with one of the claims 13, wherein the component is connected to the carcass and is surrounded by the first coil and is arranged such that it is introduced into the cut-out, which is surrounded by the second coil, on the reaching of the specific position, preferably on the closing of the cover, door or flap.
 16. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heating device is formed by a heating film located on the pane.
 17. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first and/or the second coils are cast in.
 18. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein a first coil is arranged at the carcass of the unit through which current flows and which is connected to a current source.
 19. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein a first coil is arranged at the carcass of the unit through which current flows and which is connected to a current source.
 20. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 19, wherein a second coil is arranged at the cover or at the door or flap of the unit and that a voltage is induced in it at least regionally independently of the position of the cover or of the door or flap, with the second coil being connected to the heating device such that a current flow is generated through the heating device by the second coil. 